MACCLESFIELD were frustrated at basement side Warrington on Saturday as they were forced to settle for a less-than sparkling draw.

Macclesfield won the toss and elected to bat, Ben Morrison and Stuart Brohaska opened the innings and proceeded to chalk up a partnership of 54 before Brohaska (23) was caught by Batey.

This brought Tim Parfitt-Manning to the wicket to join Morrison, and the two youngsters continued to build on the successful opening stand by adding 78 before Parfitt-Manning (41) was dismissed by Thompson.

Morrison also past 50 during their partnership, but it was now Jason Knight's turn at the wicket.

Unfortunately the two were unable to build a similarly sizeable partnership as Morrison (64) was stumped by Batey from the bowling of Agar. The exceptional start to the innings was now beginning to look a little less successful as Morrison was soon followed back to the pavilion by Perring (1), then Knight (16), followed by skipper Dan Ackerley (8).

Another young prospect, Khalid Sawas, was now at the wicket with Barney Cutbill and together the two steered the team to 214 for 6 from 50 overs, Sawas and Cutbill finishing 17 and 29 not out respectively.

It was now up to the Macclesfield bowling attack to complete a much-needed victory.

The first breakthrough came in the sixth over when Baxter (7) was caught at the wicket by Knight from the bowling of Cutbill at 17 for 1.

Agar and Kirby began a rebuild exercise before Kirby (15) was caught and bowled by Betteridge.

M Agar was joined by Hughes and they put on a partnership of 49 before Agar (43) was finally dismissed bowled by Cutbill in the 22nd over at 94 for 3.

The home side, now needing 121 from 28 overs, required a similar partnership for the fourth wicket but the next pair were only able to add 32 before Heaphy (17) was dismissed, caught behind by Jason Knight from the bowling of Simon Patterson.

He was closely followed by Hughes (38), Morris (2), Thompson (0) and Batey (3), leaving Warrington on 140 for 8 from 40 overs.

This meant Macc needed just two wickets, or the home side 75 from just 10 overs, but much to the frustration of the visitors Haydon (25 no) and S Batey (14 no) stood firm to earn a much-needed draw.